Mercury in Astrology
Planetary Bodies: The Meaning of the Planets, Part 3
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Mercury in Astrology
As someone who practices Western Astrology, I notice the emphasis on the Mercurial. This, I find, tends to be over-identification. Mercury is not Fixed energy, it’s Mutable. Due to its changeable nature, it’s important to recognize that it does just that—change. Mercury represents how we communicate, exchange ideas, move, and travel. There are two zodiacal rulers of Mercury, Gemini and Virgo.
Mercury is associated with the Third House (Gemini) and the Sixth House (Virgo), mulling together themes of community, siblings, writing, literature, acts of service, health, routines, organization, and conversation. Mercury also governs friendship and platonic bonds like those of neighbors and cousins. Mercury’s rulership of communication extends beyond the physical (body language) and includes how we text, our handwriting, and our tone of voice. Mental agility, anxiety, and learning style are all Mercury themes.
This is an intellectual not emotional planet, but if one were born with a Conjunction to the Moon, that could certainly change. It’s always important to consider how Aspects influence planets. Especially since Mercury moves at a speed comparable to the Sun, Moon, and Venus, meaning it’s possible to see Mercury near one or more of these planets in your birth chart.
Mercury, despite its “smarts,” is a subjective planet. We are, after all, human. We have opinions. Our attention span can be described through our Mercury placement. So can mental wellness.
It is the part of our celestial biography that describes how we like to kick back, hang with friends, and share a brilliant idea. It’s also our attitude, our thoughts, and engagement (not in a marriage sense). Those with prominent and well-supported Mercury placements could make great speakers, inventors, mediators, or storytellers. In my experience with clients, it is not uncommon to see mental struggles Astrologically articulated through Aspects involving Mercury with Saturn, Pluto, or Neptune.
Three times a year, Mercury Stations Retrograde and begins a backward journey through the degrees of a zodiac sign. Often, during this time Mercury will journey back to the previous zodiac sign. During a Mercury Retrograde, it’s recommended to not sign contracts or attempt to form bonds with others. Particularly ones we hope or desire to last. These are instead times to think like an editor, take a red pen, and begin striking at imperfections. Mercury Retrograde idealizes refinement but in the process often brings miscommunications.